Short chain volatile hydrocarbon production using genetically engineered microalgae, cyanobacteria or bacteria

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing isoprene hydrocarbons from microalgae, cyanobacteria, and photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/770,412, filed Jun. 28, 2007, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/806,244, filed Jun. 29, 2006, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of herbaceous, deciduous and conifer plants are known to possess the genetic and enzymatic capability for the synthesis and release of short-chain isoprenoids (e.g., isoprene (C₅H₈) and methyl-butenol (C₅H₁₀O₁)) into the surrounding environment. Such short-chain isoprenoids are derived from the early Calvin-cycle products of photosynthesis, and can be synthesized in the chloroplast of herbaceous, deciduous and conifer plants via the so-called DXP-MEP pathway at substantial rates under certain environmental stress conditions. Heat-stress of the organism is particularly important for the induction of this process in plants, and the resulting hydrocarbon pollution of the atmosphere has been the focus of the prior art in this field.

Emission of isoprene from herbaceous, deciduous, and conifer plants is due to the presence of an isoprene synthase (IspS) gene, a nuclear gene encoding for a chloroplast-localized protein that catalyzes the conversion of dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) to isoprene. As noted above, isoprenoids are synthesized in the chloroplast from the early products of the Calvin cycle (carbon fixation and reduction, see FIG. 1). 5-carbon isoprenoids, e.g. isoprene (C₅H₈) and methyl-butenol (C₅H₁₀O₁) are relatively small hydrophobic molecules, synthesized directly from DMAPP (FIG. 2). These isoprenoids are volatile molecules that easily go through cellular membranes and thereby are emitted from the leaves into the atmosphere. The process of heat stress-induction and emission of short-chain hydrocarbons by plants has been discussed as undesirable pollution of the atmosphere in the literature. There has been no description of the mass-generation, harvesting and sequestration of these hydrocarbons from the leaves of herbaceous, deciduous and conifer plants.

There is an urgent need for the development of renewable biofuels that will help meet global demands for energy but without contributing to climate change. The current invention addresses this need by providing methods and compositions to generate volatile short-chain hydrocarbons that are derived entirely from sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). These hydrocarbons can serve as biofuel or feedstock in the synthetic chemistry industry.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based, in part, on the discovery that microalgae, cyanobacteria and prokaryotic photosynthesis can be employed, upon suitable modification, to produce 5-carbon isoprenoids (e.g. FIG. 3). The DXP-MEP isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway is absolutely required in plants and algae, as it leads to the synthesis of many essential longer-chain cellular compounds. Unicellular green algae specifically express this pathway in their chloroplast and utilize the corresponding enzymes for the biosynthesis of a great variety of molecules (carotenoids, tocopherols, phytol, sterols, hormones, among many others). The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the use of genetically modified microalgae, cyanobacteria, and photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria in the production and harvesting of 5-carbon volatile isoprenoid compounds, e.g., isoprene and methyl-butenol. Such genetically modified organisms can be used commercially in an enclosed mass culture system, e.g., to provide a source of renewable fuel for internal combustion engines or, upon on-board reformation, in fuel-cell operated engines; or to provide a source of isoprene for uses in other chemical processes such as chemical synthesis.

Microalgae, cyanobacteria, and photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria do not possess an isoprene synthase or a methyl-butenol synthase gene, which catalyze the last committed step in isoprene (C₅H₈) and methyl-butenol (C₅H₁₀O₁) biosynthesis, respectively. This invention therefore provides methods and compositions to genetically modify microorganisms to express an isoprene synthase gene, e.g., a codon-adjusted poplar isoprene synthase gene, so as to confer isoprene (C₅H₈) production to the organism.

In additional aspects, the invention also provides method and compositions for the genetic modification of microalgae, cyanobacteria, and photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic bacteria to confer to these micro-organisms over-expression of endogenous genes and proteins encoding the first committed step in isoprenoid biosynthesis. The invention can thus further comprise increasing expression of native Dxs and Dxr genes in the microorganism, e.g., green algae such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; cyanobacteria such as Synechocystis sp.; or photosynthetic bacteria such as Rhodospirillum rubrum, or non-photosynthetic bacteria such as Escherichia coli. Dxs and Dxr encode enzymes that catalyze the first committed steps in isoprenoid biosynthesis.

In some embodiments, microalgae are employed. Microalgae are factories of photosynthesis, with the chloroplast occupying ˜70% of the cell volume; green algal chloroplast contains over 3 million electron transport circuits, each being capable of delivering 100 electrons per second to the Calvin Cycle for CO₂ conversion to GA-3-P; microalgae have no roots, stems, leaves, or flowers on which to invest photosynthetic resources, thus a greater fraction of photosynthetic product can be directed toward volatile isoprenoid generation; microalgae grow and reproduce faster than any other terrestrial or aquatic plant, doubling of biomass per day; and microalgae are non-toxic and non-polluting, thus environmentally friendly for mass cultivation and commercial exploitation. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the invention provides a process to modify the highly efficient process of microalgal photosynthesis to generate, in high volume, short-chain isoprene hydrocarbons (e.g., C₅H₈) from sunlight, CO₂ and H₂O. Such modified microalgae can be grown, e.g., in large capacity (e.g., 1,000-1,000,000 liters) fully enclosed photoreactors for the production and harvesting of volatile short-chain isoprene hydrocarbons.

The invention will help eliminate a number of current barriers in the commercial production, storage and utilization of renewable energy, including, but not limited to: (a) Lowering the cost of production and storage of fuel. (b) Improving fuel Weight/Volume ratios. (c) Improving the efficiency of fuel production/storage. (d) Increasing the durability of fuel storage. (e) Minimizing auto-refueling time. (f) Offering sufficient fuel storage for acceptable vehicle range. (g) Producing a fuel amenable to regeneration process. (h) Fuel is not subject to interference by oxygen in either production or storage stage.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method of producing isoprene hydrocarbons in a microorganism selected from the group consisting of microalgae, cyanobacteria, or photosynthetic bacteria, the method comprising: introducing an expression cassette that comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding isoprene synthase into the microorganism; and culturing the microorganism under conditions in which the nucleic acid encoding isoprene synthase is expressed. In some embodiments, the microorganism is a microalgae such as green algae, e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris or Dunaliella salina. In alternative embodiments, the microrganism is a cyanobacteria, such as a Synechocystis sp. In other embodiments the microorganism is a photosynthetic bacteria such as Rhodospirillum rubrum. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the microorganism can be a non-photosynthetic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli.

In some embodiments, the nucleic acid introduced into the microorganism comprises a sequence that encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide that has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, or has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, but lacks a transit peptide region. The isoprene synthase polypeptide can, e.g., comprise amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2, or residues 38-595 of SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiment, the nucleic acid comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises the nucleotide coding sequence for isoprene synthase set forth in SEQ ID NO:3; or the nucleic acid comprises the isoprene coding sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5.

In another aspect, the invention provides a microorganism selected from the group consisting of a microalgae cell, a cyanobacteria cell, and a photosynthetic bacterial cell or non-photosynthetic bacterial cell, wherein the microorganism comprises a heterologous nucleic acid that encodes isoprene synthase and is operably linked to a promoter. The promoter can be a constitutive promoter or an inducible promoter. In some embodiments, the microorganism is a green algae, such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris or Dunaliella salina. In other embodiments, the microorganism is a cyanobacteria, such as Synechocystis sp. In other embodiments, the microorganism is a photosynthetic bacteria, such as Rhodospirillum rubrum. In some embodiments, the heterolgous nucleic acid comprises a sequence that encodes an isoprene synthase gene that has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, or has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, but lacks the transit peptide. The isoprene synthase polypeptide can, e.g., comprise amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2, or residues 38-595 of SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises the nucleotide coding sequence for isoprene synthase set forth in SEQ ID NO:3; or the nucleic acid comprises the isoprene coding sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of producing isoprene hydrocarbons in a microorganism that comprises a heterologous gene that encodes isoprene synthase and that is selected from the group consisting of microalgae, cyanobacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, and non-photosynthetic bacteria, the method comprising: mass-culturing the microorganism in an enclosed bioreactor under conditions in which the isoprene synthase gene is expressed; and harvesting isoprene hydrocarbons produced by the microorganism. In some embodiments, the microorganism is a microalgae that is a green microalgae, such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris or Dunaliella salina. Alternatively, the microorganism can be a cyanobacteria, such as a Synechocystis sp. In other embodiments, the microorganism is a photosynthetic bacteria, such as Rhodospirillum rubrum. In still other embodiments, the microorganism is a non-photosynthetic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli.

In some embodiments of the mass-culture methods of the invention, the heterolgous gene that encodes isoprene synthase comprises a sequence that encodes an isoprene synthase gene that has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or has the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, but lacks the transit peptide. The isoprene synthase polypeptide can, e.g., comprise amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2 or residues 38-595 of SEQ ID NO:2. The nucleic acid can, e.g., comprise the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid comprises the nucleotide coding sequence for isoprene synthase set forth in SEQ ID NO:3; or the isoprene coding sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:5.

In some embodiments of the methods and compositions of the invention, the IspS nucleic acid encodes a protein that comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:8 or that comprises amino acid 46-608 of SEQ ID NO:8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Schematic pathway of carbon dioxide fixation and reduction in the Calvin cycle of photosynthesis and of the channeling of organic carbon from the ubiquitous glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (GA-3-P) via the deoxy-xylulose/methyl-erythitol (DXP/MEP) biosynthetic pathway to isoprenoids.

FIG. 2. (Left panel) Single step enzymatic reaction for the biosynthesis of isoprene and methyl-butenol in the chloroplast of herbaceous/deciduous tress and US pines, respectively. (Right panel) Chemical formulae of isoprene (C₅H₈) and methyl-butenol (C₅H₁₀O).

FIG. 3. The DXP/MEP biosynthetic pathway leading to the formation of volatile isoprenoids from the abundant chloroplast metabolites GA-3-P (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate) and pyruvate. Seven distinct enzymatic reactions are needed to synthesize isoprene from GA-3-P and pyruvate. Unicellular green algae, cyanobacteria, photosynthetic and certain non-photosynthetic bacteria possess the first six of these genes, but lack the isoprene synthase or methyl-butenol synthase genes.

FIG. 4. Co-transformation and homologous recombination of green algal, e.g. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, chloroplast DNA with novel Cr-IspS gene. This construct contains the atpA promoter (PatpA), fused to the 5′ UTR end of a codon optimized three-copy hemogglutinin (HA) epitope tag DNA. The DNA sequence is followed by the Cr-IspS coding region, followed by the atpA 3′ UTR.

FIG. 5. Screening for C. reinhardtii IspS (Cr-IspS) transformants by genomic DNA PCR. Primers N and C represent the primer set used for amplification, and their annealing locations are shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6. A. Cr-IspS transgene integrity tested by genomic DNA Southern blot analysis. Filters probed with the Cr-IspS DNA probe. Hybridization with a radio-labeled NdeI/XbaI fragment of the Cr-IspS coding region identified a 3.0 kbp band exclusively in the Cr-IspS transformant line #9, whereas no detectable band could be observed in the control line #7 lane. B. Ethidium bromide staining to test for equal amounts of DNA loading in A.

FIG. 7. A. Schematic representation of the Codon optimized 3X HA tagged Cr-IspS gene. B. Validation of Cr-IspS gene expression. Soluble protein fractions, which correspond to 10 or 20 μg chlorophyll, were subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis with specific polyclonal anti-HA antibodies.

FIG. 8. Components and structure of the pIspS plasmid. Novel isoprene synthase gene (Ss-IspS) with codon usage designed for expression in cyanobacteria, e.g. Synechocystis, which includes an Ampicillin resistance gene. The novel Ss-IspS DNA sequence was designed on the basis of the amino acid sequence template of the poplar isoprene synthase protein, with criteria designed to conform to the Synechocystis codon preferences. Restriction sites were introduced to facilitate cloning. The novel Ss-IspS DNA sequence was synthesized and cloned into plasmid pIspS for propagation in E. coli.

FIG. 9. Construction of pAIGA plasmid for transformation of cyanobacteria, e.g., Synechocystis. Flanking sequences from the psbA3 gene of Synechocystis were used for homologous recombination of the plasmid and to subsequently drive expression of the Ss-IspS gene with a strong promoter. A Gentamycin resistance cassette was introduced in the plasmid at the 3′ end of the Ss-IspS gene to serve as selectable marker. The Ss-IspS gene was cloned between the NcoI and PstI restriction sites.

FIG. 10. Double homologous recombination. Schematic showing the principle of Synechocystis sp. transformation by double-homologous recombination and replacement of the native psbA3 gene by the Ss-IspS Gm-resistance construct.

FIG. 11. Structure of a His-tagged Ss-IspS-containing plasmid for recombinant protein over-expression in bacteria, e.g. Escherichia coli. The N-terminal histidine-tag was introduced to facilitate purification of recombinant protein. E. coli expression was induced upon addition of IPTG to the liquid cell culture.

FIG. 12. Evidence of expression of the His-tagged Ss-IspS recombinant protein in bacteria, e.g. E. coli. Coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE of electrophoretically separated total protein from cell extracts of E. coli carrying the pETIspS plasmid. Lane 1: Non-induced control culture. Lanes 2-4 and 6-10: Induced E. coli cultures. Lane 5: Molecular weight protein size markers.

FIG. 13. Clustal alignment of four known isoprene synthase proteins (SEQ ID NOS:2, 9, 10 and 8, respectively).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

“Microalgae”, “alga” or the like, refer to plants belonging to the subphylum Algae of the phylum Thallophyta. The algae are unicellular, photosynthetic, oxygenic algae and are non-parasitic plants without roots, stems or leaves; they contain chlorophyll and have a great variety in size, from microscopic to large seaweeds. Green algae, belonging to Eukaryota—Viridiplantae—Chlorophyta—Chlorophyceae, can be used in the invention. However, algae useful in the invention may also be blue-green, red, or brown, so long as the algae is able to perform the steps necessary to provide a substrate to produce isoprene.

A “volatile isoprene hydrocarbon” in the context of this invention refers to a 5-carbon, short chain isoprenoid, e.g., isoprene or methyl-butenol.

The terms “nucleic acid” and “polynucleotide” are used synonymously and refer to a single or double-stranded polymer of deoxyribonucleotide or ribonucleotide bases read from the 5′ to the 3′ end. A nucleic acid of the present invention will generally contain phosphodiester bonds, although in some cases, nucleic acid analogs may be used that may have alternate backbones, comprising, e.g., phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, or O-methylphophoroamidite linkages (see Eckstein, Oligonucleotides and Analogues: A Practical Approach, Oxford University Press); and peptide nucleic acid backbones and linkages. Other analog nucleic acids include those with positive backbones; non-ionic backbones, and non-ribose backbones. Thus, nucleic acids or polynucleotides may also include modified nucleotides, that permit correct read through by a polymerase. “Polynucleotide sequence” or “nucleic acid sequence” includes both the sense and antisense strands of a nucleic acid as either individual single strands or in a duplex. As will be appreciated by those in the art, the depiction of a single strand also defines the sequence of the complementary strand; thus the sequences described herein also provide the complement of the sequence. Unless otherwise indicated, a particular nucleic acid sequence also implicitly encompasses variants thereof (e.g., degenerate codon substitutions) and complementary sequences, as well as the sequence explicitly indicated. The nucleic acid may be DNA, both genomic and cDNA, RNA or a hybrid, where the nucleic acid may contain combinations of deoxyribo- and ribo-nucleotides, and combinations of bases, including uracil, adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine, inosine, xanthine hypoxanthine, isocytosine, isoguanine, etc

The phrase “a nucleic acid sequence encoding” refers to a nucleic acid which contains sequence information for a structural RNA such as rRNA, a tRNA, or the primary amino acid sequence of a specific protein or peptide, or a binding site for a trans-acting regulatory agent. This phrase specifically encompasses degenerate codons (i.e., different codons which encode a single amino acid) of the native sequence or sequences that may be introduced to conform with codon preference in a specific host cell. In the context of this invention, the term “IspS coding region” when used with reference to a nucleic acid reference sequence such as SEQ ID NO:3, 5, or 7 refers to the region of the nucleic acid that encodes the protein.

An IspS “gene” in the context of this invention refers to a nucleic acid that encodes an IspS protein, or fragment thereof. Thus, such a gene is often a cDNA sequence that encodes IspS. In other embodiments, an IspS gene may include sequences, such as introns that are not present in a cDNA.

The term “promoter” or “regulatory element” refers to a region or sequence determinants located upstream or downstream from the start of transcription that direct transcription. As used herein, a promoter includes necessary nucleic acid sequences near the start site of transcription, such as, in the case of a polymerase II type promoter, a TATA element. A promoter also optionally includes distal elements, which can be located as much as several thousand base pairs from the start site of transcription. A “constitutive” promoter is a promoter that is active under most environmental and developmental conditions. An “inducible” promoter is a promoter that is active under environmental or developmental regulation. The term “operably linked” refers to a functional linkage between a nucleic acid expression control sequence (such as a promoter) and a second nucleic acid sequence, such as an IspS gene, wherein the expression control sequence directs transcription of the nucleic acid corresponding to the second sequence. An “algae promoter” or “bacterial promoter” is a promoter capable of initiating transcription in algae and/or bacterial cells, respectively. Such a promoter is therefore active in a microalgae, cyanobacteria, or bacteria cell, but need not originate from that organism. It is understood that limited modifications can be made without destroying the biological function of a regulatory element and that such limited modifications can result in algal regulatory elements that have substantially equivalent or enhanced function as compared to a wild type algal regulatory element. These modifications can be deliberate, as through site-directed mutagenesis, or can be accidental such as through mutation in hosts harboring the regulatory element. All such modified nucleotide sequences are included in the definition of an algal regulatory element as long as the ability to confer expression in unicellular green algae is substantially retained.

“Increased” or “enhanced” activity or expression of a Dxs or Dxr gene refers to a change in Dxs or Dxr activity. Examples of such increased activity or expression include the following. Dxs or DxR activity or expression of a Dxs or DxR gene is increased above the level of that in wild-type, non-transgenic control microorganism (i.e., the quantity of Dxs or Dxr activity or expression of Dxs or Dx gene is increased). Dxs or Dxr activity or expression of a Dxs or Dxr gene is in a cell where it is not normally detected in wild-type, non-transgenic cells (i.e., expression of the Dxs or Dxr gene is increased). Dxs or Dxr activity or expression is also increased when Dxs or Dxr activity or expression of the Dxs or Dxr gene is present in a cell for a longer period than in a wild-type, non-transgenic controls (i.e., duration of Dxs or Dxr activity or expression of the Dxs or Dxr gene is increased).

“Expression” of an IspS gene in the context of this invention typically refers introducing an IspS gene into a cell, e.g., microalgae, such as green microalgae, cyanobacteria, or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria, in which it is not normally expressed. Accordingly, an “increase” in IspS activity or expression is generally determined relative to wild type cells, e.g., microalgae, cyanobacteria or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria, that have no IspS activity.

A polynucleotide sequence is “heterologous to” a second polynucleotide sequence if it originates from a foreign species, or, if from the same species, is modified by human action from its original form. For example, a promoter operably linked to a heterologous coding sequence refers to a coding sequence from a species different from that from which the promoter was derived, or, if from the same species, a coding sequence which is different from any naturally occurring allelic variants

An “IspS polynucleotide” is a nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7, or the IspS coding regions of SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5; or a nucleic acid sequence that is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:1 or the IspS coding regions of SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5; or a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8, or a polypeptide that is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8, or a fragment or domain thereof. Thus, an IspS polynucleotide: 1) comprises a region of about 15 to about 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500, 1,000, 1500, or 2,000 or more nucleotides, sometimes from about 20, or about 50, to about 1800 nucleotides and sometimes from about 200 to about 600 or about 1500 nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7, or the IspS coding region of SEQ ID NOs: 3 or 5; or 2) hybridizes to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7 or to the IspS coding region of SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5, or the complements thereof, under stringent conditions, or 3) encodes an IspS polypeptide or fragment of at least 50 contiguous amino acids, typically of at least 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, or 550, or more contiguous residues of an IspS polypeptide, e.g., SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8; or 4) encodes an IspS polypeptide or fragment that has at least 55%, often at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or greater identity to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8, or over a comparison window of at least 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, or 550 amino acid residues of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8; or 5) has a nucleic acid sequence that has greater than about 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or higher nucleotide sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7, at least 80%, 85%, 90%, or at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or greater identity over a comparison window of at least about 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, or more nucleotides of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7, or the IspS coding region of SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5; or 6) is amplified by primers to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7, or the IspS coding region of SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5. The term “IspS polynucleotide” refers to double stranded or singled stranded nucleic acids. The IspS nucleic acids for use in the invention encode an active IspS that catalyzes the conversion of a dimethylallyl diphosphate substrate to isoprene.

An “IspS polypeptide” is an amino acid sequence that has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8, or is substantially similar to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8, or a fragment or domain thereof. Thus, an IspS polypeptide can: 1) have at least 55% identity, typically at least 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% or greater identity to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8, or over a comparison window of at least 100, 200, 250, 300, 250, 400, 450, 500, or 550 amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or 8; or 2) comprise at least 100, typically at least 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, or more contiguous amino acids of SEQ ID NO:2 or 8; or 3) bind to antibodies raised against an immunogen comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or 8 and conservatively modified variants thereof. An IspS polypeptide in the context of this invention is a functional protein that catalyzes the conversion of a dimethylallyl diphosphate substrate to isoprene.

As used herein, a homolog or ortholog of a particular IspS gene (e.g., SEQ ID NO:1) is a second gene in the same plant type or in a different plant type that is substantially identical (determined as described below) to a sequence in the first gene.

The terms “Dxs” and “Dxr” nucleic acids and polypeptide refer to fragments, variants, and the like. Exemplary Dxs and Dxr sequences include the nucleic acid and polypeptide Dxs and Dxr sequences disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030219798, e.g., Chlamydomonas sequences. The Dxs and Dxr sequences of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030219798 are herein incorporated by reference.

An “expression cassette” refers to a nucleic acid construct, which when introduced into a host cell, results in transcription and/or translation of a RNA or polypeptide, respectively.

In the case of expression of transgenes one of skill will recognize that the inserted polynucleotide sequence need not be identical and may be “substantially identical” to a sequence of the gene from which it was derived. As explained below, these variants are specifically covered by this term.

In the case where the inserted polynucleotide sequence is transcribed and translated to produce a functional polypeptide, one of skill will recognize that because of codon degeneracy a number of polynucleotide sequences will encode the same polypeptide. These variants are specifically covered by the term “IspS polynucleotide sequence” or “IspS gene”.

Two nucleic acid sequences or polypeptides are said to be “identical” if the sequence of nucleotides or amino acid residues, respectively, in the two sequences is the same when aligned for maximum correspondence as described below. The term “complementary to” is used herein to mean that the sequence is complementary to all or a portion of a reference polynucleotide sequence.

Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison may be conducted by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman Add. APL. Math. 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Needle man and Wunsch J. Mol. Biol. 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 85: 2444 (1988), by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, BLAST, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by inspection.

“Percentage of sequence identity” is determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, wherein the portion of the polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical nucleic acid base or amino acid residue occurs in both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity. A “comparison window”, as used herein, includes reference to a segment of any one of the number of contiguous positions, e.g., 20 to 600, usually about 50 to about 200, more usually about 100 to about 150 in which a sequence may be compared to a reference sequence of the same number of contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned.

The term “substantial identity” in the context of polynucleotide or amino acid sequences means that a polynucleotide or polypeptide comprises a sequence that has at least 50% sequence identity to a reference sequence. Alternatively, percent identity can be any integer from 50% to 100%. Exemplary embodiments include at least: 55%, 57%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% identity compared to a reference sequence using the programs described herein; preferably BLAST using standard parameters, as described below. Accordingly, IspS sequences of the invention include nucleic acid sequences that have substantial identity to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7 or to the IspS coding regions of SEQ ID NO:3 or SEQ ID NO:5. As noted above, IspS polypeptide sequences of the invention include polypeptide sequences having substantial identify to SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8.

Polypeptides that are “substantially similar” share sequences as noted above except that residue positions that are not identical may differ by conservative amino acid changes. Conservative amino acid substitutions refer to the interchangeability of residues having similar side chains. For example, a group of amino acids having aliphatic side chains is glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine; a group of amino acids having aliphatic-hydroxyl side chains is serine and threonine; a group of amino acids having amide-containing side chains is asparagine and glutamine; a group of amino acids having aromatic side chains is phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; a group of amino acids having basic side chains is lysine, arginine, and histidine; and a group of amino acids having sulfur-containing side chains is cysteine and methionine. Exemplary conservative amino acids substitution groups are: valine-leucine-isoleucine, phenylalanine-tyrosine, lysine-arginine, alanine-valine, aspartic acid-glutamic acid, and asparagine-glutamine.

Another indication that nucleotide sequences are substantially identical is if two molecules hybridize to each other, or a third nucleic acid, under stringent conditions. The phrase “stringent hybridization conditions” refers to conditions under which a probe will hybridize to its target subsequence, typically in a complex mixture of nucleic acid, but to no other sequences. Stringent conditions are sequence-dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Longer sequences hybridize specifically at higher temperatures. An extensive guide to the hybridization of nucleic acids is found in Tijssen, Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—Hybridization with Nucleic Probes, “Overview of principles of hybridization and the strategy of nucleic acid assays” (1993). Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5-10° C. lower than the thermal melting point (Tm) for the specific sequence at a defined ionic strength pH. The Tm is the temperature (under defined ionic strength, pH, and nucleic concentration) at which 50% of the probes complementary to the target hybridize to the target sequence at equilibrium (as the target sequences are present in excess, at Tm, 50% of the probes are occupied at equilibrium). Stringent conditions will be those in which the salt concentration is less than about 1.0 M sodium ion, typically about 0.01 to 1.0 M sodium ion concentration (or other salts) at pH 7.0 to 8.3 and the temperature is at least about 30° C. for short probes (e.g., 10 to 50 nucleotides) and at least about 60° C. for long probes (e.g., greater than 50 nucleotides). Stringent conditions may also be achieved with the addition of destabilizing agents such as formamide. For selective or specific hybridization, a positive signal is at least two times background, optionally 10 times background hybridization. Exemplary stringent hybridization conditions can be as following: 50% formamide, 5×SSC, and 1% SDS, incubating at 42° C., or 5×SSC, 1% SDS, incubating at 65° C., with wash in 0.2×SSC, and 0.1% SDS at 55° C., 60° C., or 65° C. Such washes can be performed for 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, or more minutes.

Nucleic acids that do not hybridize to each other under stringent conditions are still substantially identical if the polypeptides that they encode are substantially identical. This occurs, for example, when a copy of a nucleic acid is created using the maximum codon degeneracy permitted by the genetic code. In such cases, the nucleic acids typically hybridize under moderately stringent hybridization conditions. For example, an IspS polynucleotides, can also be identified by their ability to hybridize under stringency conditions (e.g., Tm ˜40° C.) to nucleic acid probes having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7. Such an IspS nucleic acid sequence can have, e.g., about 25-30% base pair mismatches or less relative to the selected nucleic acid probe. SEQ ID NO:1 is an exemplary IspS polynucleotide sequence. Exemplary “moderately stringent hybridization conditions” include a hybridization in a buffer of 40% formamide, 1 M NaCl, 1% SDS at 37° C., and a wash in 1×SSC at 45° C. Such washes can be performed for 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, or more minutes. A positive hybridization is at least twice background. Those of ordinary skill will readily recognize that alternative hybridization and wash conditions can be utilized to provide conditions of similar stringency.

The term “isolated”, when applied to a nucleic acid or protein, denotes that the nucleic acid or protein is essentially free of other cellular components with which it is associated in the natural state. It is preferably in a homogeneous state and may be in either a dry or aqueous solution. Purity and homogeneity are typically determined using analytical chemistry techniques such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or high performance liquid chromatography. A protein that is the predominant species present in a preparation is substantially purified. In particular, an isolated gene is separated from open reading frames that flank the gene and encode a protein other than the gene of interest.

As used herein, “mass-culturing” refers to growing large quantities of microalgae, cyanobacteria, or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria that have been modified to express an IspS gene. A “large quantity” is generally in the range of about 100 liters to about 1,500,000 liters, or more. In some embodiments, the organisms are cultured in large quantities in modular bioreactors, each having a capacity of about 1,000 to about 1,000,000 liters.

A “bioreactor” in the context of this invention is any enclosed large-capacity vessel in which microalgae, cyanobacteria or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria are grown. A “large-capacity vessel” in the context of this invention can hold about 100 liters, often about 500 liters, or about 1,000 liters to about 1,000,000 liters, or more.

As used herein, “harvesting” volatile isoprene hydrocarbons refers to capturing and sequestering such hydrocarbons in a closed or contained environment.

IspS, Dxr, or Dxs Nucleic Acid Sequences

The invention employs various routine recombinant nucleic acid techniques. Generally, the nomenclature and the laboratory procedures in recombinant DNA technology described below are those well known and commonly employed in the art. Many manuals that provide direction for performing recombinant DNA manipulations are available, e.g., Sambrook & Russell, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual (3rd Ed, 2001); and Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds., 1994-1999).

IspS nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences are known in the art. IspS genes have been isolated and sequenced from poplar and aspen (two related trees), and kudzu (a vine). The species involved and the sequences available in the NCBI database are given below by accession number, each of which is incorporated by reference:

-   -   Populus alba (white poplar) IspS mRNA for isoprene synthase;         ACCESSION No AB198180;     -   Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen) isoprene synthase (IspS);         ACCESSION No AY341431 (complete cds);     -   Populus alba×Populus tremula IspS mRNA; ACCESSION No AJ294819;

Populus nigra (Lombardy poplar) mRNA for isoprene synthase (IspS gene); ACCESSION No AM410988;

-   -   Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu vine) isoprene synthase         (IspS); ACCESSION No AY316691 (complete cds.).

Examination of these IspS sequences reveals a high degree of nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities, for example, hybrid poplar and aspen cDNA sequences are 98% identical at the polypeptide and nucleotide level (see, e.g., Sharkey et al., Plant Physiol. 137:700-712, 1995). The aspen isoprene synthase nucleotide coding sequence is 65% identical to the kudzu gene, while the protein sequences (without the chloroplast transit peptide) are 57% identical.

The poplar IspS protein has a high-density of Cysteine and Histidine amino acids in the carboxy-terminal half of the protein. For example, considering the 591 amino acid sequence of the Cr-IspS protein (SEQ ID NO:4), cysteine moieties are found at positions 34, 326, 378, 413, 484, 505 and 559, i.e., six out of the seven cysteines are found in the lower 45% of the protein. Additional clustering of histidines in various positions of the C-terminal half of the protein is also observed. Cysteine and histidine amino acids are known to participate in proper folding and catalytic site structure of proteins and can be important components for enzyme activity. An alignment of four known IspS proteins showing the high conservation of Cys in the C-terminal part of the molecule is provided in FIG. 13. In one case, the kudzu protein has substituted an otherwise conserved Cys with Ser (Cys-509-Ser of the Alba or nigra or tremuloides) sequence in the clustal alignment in FIG. 13). Serine is a highly conservative substitution for cysteine, as the only difference between the two amino acids is a —OH group in the place of the —SH group. In fact, examination of the four IspS sequences reveals the additional property of many conserved Serines in the C-terminal half of the protein. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a nucleic acid for use in the invention encodes an IspS polypeptide that comprises the carboxyl-terminal 45% of SEQ ID NO:2 and retain the catalytic activity in converting DMAPP to isoprene. Other examples exist where a related protein in one microorganism, such as a green microalgae, lacks a substantial portion of the N-terminal portion of the protein (relative to the form of the protein present in another microorganism such as bacteria) without adverse effect on activity (see, e.g., Melis and Happe, Plant Physiol. 127:740-748, 2001). Accordingly, in some embodiments, an IspS nucleic acid for use in the invention encodes a polypeptide that comprises from about amino acid residue 330 through the C-terminus of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8. In some embodiments, the IspS polypeptide encoded by the IspS nucleic acid comprises from about amino acid residue 300 through the C-terminus of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8. In some embodiments, the IspS sequence can additionally lack the last 10, 15, or 20 residues of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8.

The transit peptide of the IspS protein includes, minimally, amino acids 1-37 for poplar and aspen and 1-45 for kudzu. On the basis of this analysis, the mature protein begins with the amino acid sequence “CSVSTEN . . . (SEQ ID NO:11) etc. IspS nucleic acid sequences for use in the invention need not include sequences that encode a transit polypeptide and further omit additional N-terminal sequence. For example, the Ss-IspS construct set forth in the EXAMPLES section lacks 52 amino acids from the encoding synthetic gene DNA. This has had no effect on IspS protein synthesis and accumulation.

In some embodiments of the invention, a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a poplar or aspen IspS polypeptide (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2) is used. In other embodiments, a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a kudzu IspS polypeptide (e.g., SEQ ID NO:8) is used. The IspS polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids employed in the methods of the invention have the catalytic activity of converting DMAPP to isoprene. Typically, the level of activity is equivalent to the activity exhibited by a poplar or aspen IspS polypeptide (e.g., encoded by SEQ ID NO:1) or a natural kudzu IspS polypeptide (e.g., encoded by SEQ ID NO:7).

Exemplary Dxs and Dxr sequences include the nucleic acid and polypeptide Dxs and Dxr sequences disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030219798, e.g., Chlamydomonas sequences. The Dxs and Dxr sequences of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030219798 are herein incorporated by reference.

Isolation or generation of IspS, Dxr, or Dxs polynucleotide sequences can be accomplished by a number of techniques. Cloning and expression of such technique will be addressed in the context of IspS genes. However, the same techniques can be used to isolate and express Dxr or Dxs polynucleotides. For instance, oligonucleotide probes based on the sequences disclosed here can be used to identify the desired polynucleotide in a cDNA or genomic DNA library from a desired plant species. Such a cDNA or genomic library can then be screened using a probe based upon the sequence of a cloned IspS gene, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7. Probes may be used to hybridize with genomic DNA or cDNA sequences to isolate homologous genes in the same or different plant species.

Alternatively, the nucleic acids of interest can be amplified from nucleic acid samples using amplification techniques. For instance, PCR may be used to amplify the sequences of the genes directly from mRNA, from cDNA, from genomic libraries or cDNA libraries. PCR and other in vitro amplification methods may also be useful, for example, to clone nucleic acid sequences that code for proteins to be expressed, to make nucleic acids to use as probes for detecting the presence of the desired mRNA in samples, for nucleic acid sequencing, or for other purposes.

Appropriate primers and probes for identifying an IspS gene from plant cells, e.g., poplar or another deciduous tree, can be generated from comparisons of the sequences provided herein. For a general overview of PCR see PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. (Innis, M, Gelfand, D., Sninsky, J. and White, T., eds.), Academic Press, San Diego (1990). An exemplary PCR for amplifying an IspS nucleic acid sequence is provided in the examples.

The genus of IspS nucleic acid sequences for use in the invention includes genes and gene products identified and characterized by techniques such as hybridization and/or sequence analysis using exemplary nucleic acid sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:7 and protein sequences, e.g., SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:8.

Preparation of Recombinant Vectors

To use isolated sequences in the above techniques, recombinant DNA vectors suitable for transformation of green microalgae, cyanobacteria, and photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacterial cells, are prepared. Techniques for transformation are well known and described in the technical and scientific literature. For example, a DNA sequence encoding an IspS gene (described in further detail below), can be combined with transcriptional and other regulatory sequences which will direct the transcription of the sequence from the gene in the intended cells of the transformed algae, cyanobacteria, or bacteria. In some embodiments, an expression vector that comprises an expression cassette that comprises the IspS gene further comprises a promoter operably linked to the IspS gene. In other embodiments, a promoter and/or other regulatory elements that direct transcription of the IspS gene are endogenous to the microorganism and the expression cassette comprising the IspS gene is introduced, e.g., by homologous recombination, such that the heterologous IspS gene is operably linked to an endogenous promoter and is expression driven by the endogenous promoter.

Regulatory sequences include promoters, which may be either constitutive or inducible. In some embodiments, a promoter can be used to direct expression of IspS nucleic acids under the influence of changing environmental conditions. Examples of environmental conditions that may effect transcription by inducible promoters include anaerobic conditions, elevated temperature, or the presence of light. Promoters that are inducible upon exposure to chemicals reagents are also used to express IspS nucleic acids. Other useful inducible regulatory elements include copper-inducible regulatory elements (Mett et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:4567-4571 (1993); Furst et al., Cell 55:705-717 (1988)); tetracycline and chlor-tetracycline-inducible regulatory elements (Gatz et al., Plant J. 2:397-404 (1992); Roder et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 243:32-38 (1994); Gatz, Meth. Cell Biol. 50:411-424 (1995)); ecdysone inducible regulatory elements (Christopherson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:6314-6318 (1992); Kreutzweiser et al., Ecotoxicol. Environ. Safety 28:14-24 (1994)); heat shock inducible regulatory elements (Takahashi et al., Plant Physiol. 99:383-390 (1992); Yabe et al., Plant Cell Physiol. 35:1207-1219 (1994); Ueda et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 250:533-539 (1996)); and lac operon elements, which are used in combination with a constitutively expressed lac repressor to confer, for example, IPTG-inducible expression (Wilde et al., EMBO J. 11:1251-1259 (1992)). An inducible regulatory element also can be, for example, a nitrate-inducible promoter, e.g., derived from the spinach nitrite reductase gene (Back et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 17:9 (1991)), or a light-inducible promoter, such as that associated with the small subunit of RuBP carboxylase or the LHCP gene families (Feinbaum et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 226:449 (1991); Lam and Chua, Science 248:471 (1990)), or a light.

In one example, a promoter sequence that is responsive to light may be used to drive expression of an IspS nucleic acid construct that is introduced into Chlamydomonas that is exposed to light (e.g., Hahn, Curr Genet 34:459-66, 1999; Loppes, Plant Mol Riot 45:215-27, 2001; Villand, Biochem J 327:51-7), 1997. Other light-inducible promoter systems may also be used, such as the phytochrome/PIF3 system (Shimizu-Sato, Nat Biotechnol 20):1041-4, 2002). Further, a promoter can be used that is also responsive to heat can be employed to drive expression in algae such as Chlamydomonas (Muller, Gene 111:165-73, 1992; von Gromoff, Mol Cell Biol 9:3911-8, 1989). Additional promoters, e.g., for expression in algae such as green microalgae, include the RbcS2 and PsaD promoters (see, e.g., Stevens et al., Mol. Gen. Genet. 251: 23-30, 1996; Fischer & Rochaix, Mol Genet Genomics 265:888-94, 2001).

In some embodiments, the promoter may be from a gene associated with photosynthesis in the species to be transformed or another species. For example such a promoter from one species may be used to direct expression of a protein in transformed algal cells or cells of another photosynthetic marine organism. Suitable promoters may be isolated from or synthesized based on known sequences from other photosynthetic organisms. Preferred promoters are those for genes from other photosynthetic species that are homologous to the photosynthetic genes of the algal host to be transformed. For example, a series of light harvesting promoters from the fucoxanthing chlorophyll binding protein have been identified in Phaeodactylum tricornutum (see, e.g., Apt, et al. Mol Gen. Genet. 252:572-579, 1996). In other embodiments, a carotenoid chlorophyll binding protein promoter, such as that of peridinin chlorophyll binding protein, can be used.

In some embodiments, a promoter used to drive expression of a heterologous IspS gene is a constitutive promoter. Examples of constitutive strong promoters for use in microalgae include, e.g., the promoters of the atpA, atpB, and rbcL genes. Various promoters that are active in cyanobacteria are also known. These include promoters such as the (constitutive) promoter of the psbA3 gene in cyanobacteria and promoters such as those set forth in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20020164706, which is incorporated by reference. Other promoters that are operative in plants, e.g., promoters derived from plant viruses, such as the CaMV35S promoters, can also be employed in algae.

In some embodiments, promoters are identified by analyzing the 5′ sequences of a genomic clone corresponding to an IspS gene. Sequences characteristic of promoter sequences can be used to identify the promoter.

A promoter can be evaluated, e.g., by testing the ability of the promoter to drive expression in plant cells, e.g., green algae, in which it is desirable to introduce an IspS expression construct.

A vector comprising IspS nucleic acid sequences will typically comprise a marker gene that confers a selectable phenotype on algae or bacterial cells. Such markers are known. For example, the marker may encode antibiotic resistance, such as resistance to kanamycin, G418, bleomycin, hygromycin, and the like. In some embodiments, selectable markers for use in Chlamydomonas can be markers that provide spectinomycin resistance (Fargo, Mol Cell Biol 19:6980-90, 1999), kanamycin and amikacin resistance (Bateman, Mol-Gen Genet 263:404-10, 2000), zeomycin and phleomycin resistance (Stevens, Mol Gen Genet 251:23-30, 1996), and paramomycin and neomycin resistance (Sizova, Gene 277:221-9, 2001).

IspS nucleic acid sequences of the invention are expressed recombinantly in microorganisms, e.g., microalgae, cyanobacteria, or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria. As appreciated by one of skill in the art, expression constructs can be designed taking into account such properties as codon usage frequencies of the organism in which the IspS nucleic acid is to be expressed. Codon usage frequencies can be tabulated using known methods (see, e.g., Nakamura et al. Nucl. Acids Res. 28:292, 2000). Codon usage frequency tables, including those for microalgae and cyanobacteria, are also available in the art (e.g., in codon usage databases of the Department of Plant Genome Research, Kazusa DNA Research Institute (www.kazusa.or.jp/codon).

Cell transformation methods and selectable markers for bacteria and cyanobacteria are well known in the art (Wirth, Mol Gen Genet 1989 March; 216(1):175-7; Koksharova, Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2002 February; 58(2): 123-37; Thelwell). Transformation methods and selectable markers for use in bacteria are well known (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., supra).

In microalage, e.g., green microalgae, the nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast genomes are transformed through a variety of known methods, including by microparticle bombardment, or using a glass bead method (see, e.g., Kindle, J Cell Biol 109:2589-601, 1989; Kindle, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87:1228-32, 1990; Kindle, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 88:1721-5, 1991; Shimogawara, Genetics 148:1821-8, 1998; Boynton, Science 240:1534-8, 1988; Boynton, Methods Enzymol 264:279-96, 1996; Randolph-Anderson, Mol Gen Genet 236:235-44, 1993). In some embodiments, an IspS gene is introduced into the chloroplast of a microalgae. In other embodiments, an IspS gene is introduced into the nucleus.

The techniques described herein for obtaining and expressing IspS nucleic acid sequences in microalgae, cyanobacteria or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria can also be employed to express Dxr or Dxs nucleic acid sequences.

Microorganisms That Can be Targeted

IspS can be expressed in any number of microalgae, e.g., green algae, or cyanobacteria, or photosynthetic or non-photosynthetic bacteria where it is desirable to produce isoprene. Transformed microalgae, cyanobacteria, or bacteria (photosynthetic bacteria or non-photosynthetic bacteria) that express a heterologous IspS gene are grown under mass culture conditions for the production of hydrocarbons, e.g., to be used as a fuel source or as feedstock in synthetic chemistry. The transformed organisms are growth in bioreactors or fermentors that provide an enclosed environment to contain the hydrocarbons. In typical embodiments for mass culture, the microalgae, cyanobacteria, or bacteria are grown in enclosed reactors in quantities of at least about 500 liters, often of at least about 1000 liters or greater, and in some embodiments in quantities of about 1,000,000 liters or more.

In some embodiments, IspS is expressed in microalgae. Algae, alga or the like, refer to plants belonging to the subphylum Algae of the phylum Thallophyta. The algae are unicellular, photosynthetic, oxygenic algae and are non-parasitic plants without roots, stems or leaves; they contain chlorophyll and have a great variety in size, from microscopic to large seaweeds. Green algae, which are single cell eukaryotic organisms of oxygenic photosynthesis endowed with chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b belonging to Eukaryota—Viridiplantae—Chlorophyta—Chlorophyceae, are often a preferred target. For example, IspS can be expressed in C. reinhardtii, which is classified as Volvocales—Chlamydomonadaceae. Algae strains that may be used in this invention include, e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris, Botryococcus braunii, Botryococcus sudeticus, Dunaliella salina, and Haematococcus pluvialis.

Methods of mass-culturing algae are known. For example, algae can be grown in high density photobioreactors (see, e.g., Lee et al., Biotech. Bioengineering 44:1161-1167, 1994; Chaumont, J Appl. Phycology 5:593-604, 1990), bioreactors such as those for sewage and waste water treatments (e.g., Sawayama et al., Appl. Micro. Biotech., 41:729-731, 1994; Lincoln, Bulletin De L'institut Oceangraphique (Monaco), 12:109-115, 1993), mass-cultured for the elimination of heavy metals from contaminated water (e.g., Wilkinson, Biotech. Letters, 11:861-864, 1989), mass-cultured for the production of β-carotene (e.g., Yamaoka, Seibutsu-Kogaku Kaishi, 72:111-114, 1994), hydrogen (e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20030162273), and pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., Cannell, 1990), as well as nutritional supplements for both humans and animals (Becker, 1993, “Bulletin De L'institut Oceanographique (Monaco), 12, 141-155) and for the production of other compounds of nutritional value.

Conditions for growing IspS-expressing algae or bacteria for the exemplary purposes illustrated above are known in the art (see, e.g., the exemplary references cited herein). Volatile isoprene hydrocarbons produced by the modified microorganisms can be harvested using known techniques. Isoprene hydrocarbons are not miscible in water and they rise to and float at the surface of the microorganism growth medium. They are siphoned off from the surface and sequestered in suitable containers. In addition, and depending on the prevailing temperature during the mass cultivation of the microorganisms, isoprene can exist in vapor form above the water medium in the bioreactor container (isoprene boiling temperature T=34° C.). Isoprene vapor is piped off the bioreactor container and condensed into liquid fuel form upon cooling or low-level compression.

EXAMPLES

The examples described herein are provided by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a variety of non-critical parameters that could be changed or modified to yield essentially similar results.

Example 1 Design and Expression of Novel Cr-IspS Gene for Isoprene Hydrocarbon Production in Microalgae

A codon-adjusted synthetic DNA construct was generated based on the known nuclear-encoded “isoprene synthase” IspS protein sequence of Populus alba (poplar). This amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) was used as a template for the de novo design of an IspS DNA sequence for expression of the gene in the chloroplast of model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. For the purposes of this invention, this gene has been termed Cr-IspS. Features of this gene included: (1) Codon usage was different from that of poplar and specifically selected to fit the codon usage of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast; (2) The poplar chloroplast targeting sequence of the protein was omitted from the design of the new Cr-IspS gene. (3) Three copies of a codon optimized gene encoding the hemagglutinin (HA) epitope tag were fused upstream of the IspS gene.

The Cr-IspS DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) was designed to encode for the isoprene synthase protein (SEQ ID NO:4) specifically in the chloroplast of microalgae, e.g., Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Codon usage adjustments for gene expression in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas were made on the basis of the codon usage table for the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast 6803, listed in the following URL: http://www.bio.net/bionet/mm/chlamy/1997-March/000843.html.

SEQ ID NO:4 also contains three copies of the hemagglutinin tag, which are underlined in the N-terminal side of the sequence. Restriction enzyme recognition sites were introduced at the ends of the Cr-IspS DNA sequence to facilitate cloning of the gene, and the entire sequence was synthesized and cloned in a carrier-plasmid.

A transgenic Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast was generated that expressed the codon-optimized recombinant isoprene synthase gene (Cr-IspS). This was accomplished by constructing a chimeric gene (FIG. 4 top, Cr-IspS) containing the atpA promoter (PatpA), fused to the 5′UTR end of a codon optimized three-copy hemagglutinin (HA) epitope tag DNA (FIG. 4). This DNA sequence was followed by the Cr-IspS coding region (FIG. 4), followed by the atpA 3′UTR (FIG. 4, TatpA). Integration of the constructed chimeric gene into the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast genome was achieved using biolistic transformation and homologous recombination, requiring sequence homology between the transforming vector and the chloroplast genome (Boynton et al., Science, 240:1534-1538, 1988). For this purpose, the vector p322 was employed, which contains a partial C. reinhardtii chloroplast genome for the target of homologous recombination (Franklin et al., Plant J., 30:733-744, 2002). As shown in the diagram of FIG. 4, the chimeric Cr-IspS gene was ligated into the BamHI site of p322 to generate plasmid pApISAt. The pApISAt construct was co-transformed into the C. reinhardtii strain CC503 chloroplast by means of particle bombardment (Boynton et al., Science, 240:1534-1538, 1988), along with plasmid p228, containing a modified 16S ribosomal gene conferring spectinomycin resistance (Franklin et al., Plant J., 30:733-744, 2002). Primers N and C in FIG. 4 mark the annealing location of primers that were used for the subsequent PCR screening among isolated spectinomycin resistant transformants.

FIG. 5 provides an example of the genomic PCR screening analysis of primary transformants that were selected on media containing spectinomycin for the presence of either N- or C-terminal regions of the chimeric Cr-IspS gene in order to screen for C. reinhardtii Cr-IspS transformants. Over one hundred spectinomycin resistant transformant colonies of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii were isolated and tested, among which two independent lines (#9 and #20) were found to unequivocally contain the stably integrated Cr-IspS gene in their chloroplast DNA. A spectinomycin resistant transformant (#7, not shown) was used as negative control for the PCR analysis and the pApISAt plasmid served as a template for the positive control. Primers N and C represent the primer set used for amplification, and their annealing locations are shown in FIG. 4.

Genomic DNA from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii control (#7) and the putative Cr-IspS transformant line#9 were digested with BamHI, separated on an Agarose gel, and subjected to Southern blot analysis in order to test for Cr-IspS transgene integrity. Hybridization with a radio-labeled NdeI/XbaI fragment of the Cr-IspS coding region identified a ˜3.0 kbp band exclusively in the Cr-IspS transformant line#9, whereas no detectable band could be observed in the control line#7 lane (FIG. 6A). These results validated the stable integration of Cr-IspS in the chloroplast genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii transformant line#9, and are consistent with the results of the PCR analysis (FIG. 5). Ethidium bromide staining of the Agarose gel (FIG. 6B) tested for the equal amount of DNA loading. Similar results were obtained with the Cr-IspS transformant line#20 (not shown).

Cr-IspS protein accumulation in the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii transgenic line#9 was verified by Western blot analysis (FIG. 7) in order to demonstrate Cr-IspS gene expression. Anti-HA tag antibody (α-HA) was used to assay for the presence of the recombinant Cr-IspS protein and its cellular concentration. Three copies of hemagglutinin (HA) tag were introduced into a position precending the Cr-IspS gene that encodes the mature protein (FIG. 7A), to serve as a convenient epitope for the detection of Cr-IspS protein accumulation. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells were concentrated to 500×10⁶ cells/ml in 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH7.0) and broken by glass bead agitation for 5 min to release the soluble fraction of chloroplast. Soluble protein fractions, which correspond to 10 or 20 μg chlorophyll, were subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis with specific polyclonal anti-HA antibodies. A clear antibody-protein cross-reaction was observed at about the 67 kD band in the lanes loaded with sample from the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii transformant line#9, but not in the control (C#7) (FIG. 7B). In addition, antibody-protein cross-reactions were observed at about 38 kD, indicated by asterisk in FIG. 5B. Accumulation of Cr-IspS protein as a 38 kD band might indicate a premature termination of Cr-IspS mRNA translation, or a specific degradation activity over the recombinant protein. There was no detectable 67 kD or 38 kD bands in the control lane (C#7). The apparent cross-reaction corresponding to a 34 kD protein is probably a non-specific binding of the primary or secondary antibody to a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii protein. Expression of the Cr-IspS protein was also detected in transformant line#20 (not shown).

Example 2 Design and Expression of a Ss-IspS Gene for Isoprene Hydrocarbon Production in Cyanobacteria

In order to express isoprene hydrocarbon production in cyanobacteria, a codon-adjusted synthetic DNA construct was generated, based on the known isoprene synthase IspS protein sequence of Populus alba (poplar). This amino acid sequence was used as a template for the de novo design of an IspS DNA sequence for expression of the gene in cyanobacteria, e.g., Synechocystis sp. Codon usage adjustments for gene expression in cyanobacteria were made on the basis of the codon usage Table for Synechocystis PCC 6803, listed in the following URL: http://gib.genes.nig.ac.jp/single/codon/main.php?spid=Syne_PCC6803.

The codon-adjusted gene is referred to herein as Ss-IspS. Features of this gene include: (1) Codon usage was different from that of poplar and specifically selected to fit the codon usage of Synechocystis; (2) The poplar chloroplast targeting sequence of the protein was omitted from the design of the new Ss-IspS gene. The DNA sequence was designed to encode the isoprene synthase protein specifically in cyanobacteria, e.g. Synechocystis. The first underlined sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 represents the (reverse compliment) beta-lactamase gene, whereas the second underlined sequence is the Ss-IspS DNA. Additionally, the italicized sequences are start and stop codons, and the bold sequences are cloning restriction sites. Restriction enzyme recognition sites were introduced at the ends of the newly designed Ss-IspS DNA sequence to facilitate cloning of the gene, and the entire sequence was synthesized and cloned in a carrier-plasmid (FIG. 8).

The codon-optimized, length-adjusted and chemically-synthesized Ss-IspS gene was cloned downstream of the psbA3 promoter region of Synechocystis, in frame with the ATG start codon of the psbA3 gene. The Ss-IspS gene was followed by a transcriptional terminator and a gentamicin resistance cassette and, thereafter, by the Synechocystis sequence immediately downstream of psbA3 gene (FIG. 8).

This new construct allowed for homologous recombination, i.e., insertion of the Ss-IspS DNA sequence into the Synechocystis genome by replacement of the endogenous psbA3 gene via double homologous recombination (FIG. 10). Selection of Synechocystis transformants could be made using gentamicin (Gm) as the selectable marker, and the strong psbA3 promoter drove expression of the Ss-IspS gene.

In order to transform Synechocystis with the Ss-IspS construct, Synechocystis sp. cells were grown in a basic BG11 growth medium in the presence of 5 mM glucose, until cell density reached about 50×10⁶ cells ml⁻¹ (OD₇₃₀=0.5). Cells were then harvested and concentrated to 10¹⁰ cells ml⁻¹, mixed with the pAIGA plasmid for transformation and incubated for 4-6 h prior to spreading of the mixture onto filters on top of BG11-containing agar plates, also containing 0.5 μg/ml Gm, 0.3% sodium thiosulfate, and 10 mM TES-NaOH, pH 8.0.

The Petri plates were kept under low light intensity for 1-2 days and thereafter moved to normal growth conditions. Filters were transferred to fresh Gm-containing plates once a week. es that formed in the presence of the Gm selectable marker were isolated and re-streaked on fresh filters, followed by transfer to liquid BG11 growth media under continued selective conditions in the presence of Gm.

Example 3 Expression of His-tagged IspS in Escherichia coli

In order to construct the vector for expression of His-tagged IspS gene in E. coli, Ss-IspS DNA, codon optimized for expression in cyanobacteria, was amplified by PCR using primers:

IspS_F_NdeI, 5′-CTGGGTCATATGGAAGCTCGACGAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:12), and

IspS_R_HindIII, 5′-ATGGAAAACCTGAAGCTTTTAACGTTCAA-3′ (SEQ ID NO:13), introducing an Nde I-site and a Hind III-site in the 5′ and 3′ end of the gene, respectively. These sites were used to clone the gene into the pET1529 expression vector forming vector pETIspS, which carries a His-tag in the N-terminal end of the protein (FIG. 11).

In order to demonstrate recombinant His-tagged Ss-IspS expression in Escherichia coli, E. coli bacteria were transformed with the pETIspS plasmid, which contains the Ss-IspS gene and a His-tag-encoding DNA in the 5′end of the Ss-IspS gene. Successful expression of this His-Ss-IspS gene in E. coli was induced upon addition of 0.1 mM IPTG to the liquid cell culture. Cells were harvested and their protein content was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining (FIG. 12). It was demonstrated that all clones carrying the pETIspS plasmid were expressing the ˜65 kD His-Ss-IspS protein (FIG. 12, ˜65 kD band).

A similar undertaking and demonstration of expression of the IspS gene and accumulation of the recombinant IspS protein in bacteria, e.g. Escherichia coli, was successfully conducted with the Cr-IspS gene, codon-optimized for expression in unicellular green algae, e.g. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (results not shown).

All publications, accession numbers, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Exemplary IspS Sequences

SEQ ID NO:1 Populus alba cDNA for Isoprene Synthase, Accession No. AB198180

   1 atggcaactg aattattgtg cttgcaccgt ccaatctcac tgacacacaa acttttcaga   61 aatcccttac ctaaagtcat ccaggccact cccttaactt tgaaactcag atgttctgta  121 agcacagaaa acgtcagctt cacagaaaca gaaacagaag ccagacggtc tgccaattat  181 gaaccaaata gctgggatta tgattatttg ctgtcttcag acactgacga atcgattgag  241 gtatacaaag acaaggccaa aaagctggag gctgaggtga gaagagagat taacaatgaa  301 aaggcagagt ttttgactct gcttgaactg atagataatg tccaaaggtt aggattgggt  361 taccggttcg agagtgacat aaggggagcc cttgatagat ttgtttcttc aggaggattt  421 gatgctgtta caaaaactag ccttcatggt actgctctta gcttcaggct tctcagacag  481 catggttttg aggtctctca agaagcgttc agtggattca aggatcaaaa tggcaatttc  541 ttggaaaacc ttaaggagga catcaaggca atactaagcc tatatgaagc ttcatttctt  601 gcattagaag gagaaaatat cttggatgag gccaaggtgt ttgcaatatc acatctaaaa  661 gagctcagcg aagaaaagat tggaaaagag ctggccgaac aggtgaatca tgcattggag  721 cttccattgc atcgcaggac gcaaagacta gaagctgttt ggagcattga agcataccgt  781 aaaaaggaag atgcaaatca agtactgcta gaacttgcta tattggacta caacatgatt  841 caatcagtat accaaagaga tcttcgcgag acatcaaggt ggtggaggcg agtgggtctt  901 gcaacaaagt tgcattttgc tagagacagg ttaattgaaa gcttttactg ggcagttgga  961 gttgcgttcg agcctcaata cagtgattgc cgtaattcag tagcaaaaat gttttcattt 1021 gtaacaatca ttgatgatat ctatgatgtt tatggtactc tggacgagtt ggagctattt 1081 acagatgctg ttgagagatg ggatgttaat gccatcaatg atcttccgga ttatatgaag 1141 ctctgcttcc tagctctcta caacactatc aatgagatag cttatgacaa tctgaaggac 1201 aagggggaaa acattcttcc atacctaaca aaagcgtggg cagatttatg caatgcattc 1261 ctacaagaag caaaatggtt gtacaataag tccacaccaa catttgatga ctatttcgga 1321 aatgcatgga aatcatcctc agggcctctt caactagttt ttgcctactt tgccgtggtt 1381 caaaacatca agaaagagga aattgaaaac ttacaaaagt atcatgatac catcagtagg 1441 ccttcccaca tctttcgtct ttgcaacgac ctggcttcag catcggctga gatagcgaga 1501 ggtgaaacag cgaattctgt atcatgctac atgcgtacaa aaggcatttc tgaggagctt 1561 gctactgaat ccgtaatgaa cttgatcgac gaaacctgga aaaagatgaa caaagaaaag 1621 cttggtggct ctttgtttgc aaaacctttt gtcgaaacag ctattaacct tgcacggcaa 1681 tcccattgca cttatcataa cggagatgcg catacttcac cagacgagct aactaggaaa 1741 cgtgtcctgt cagtaatcac agagcctatt ctaccctttg agagataa SEQ ID NO:2 Populus alba polypeptide sequence for isoprene synthase (from Accession No. AB198180). The underlined portion of the protein denotes a chloroplast transit peptide.

MATELLCLHRPISLTHKLFRNPLPKVIQATPLTLKLRCSVSTENVSFTET ETEARRSANYEPNSWDYDYLLSSDTDESIEVYKDKAKKLEAEVRREINNE KAEFLTLLELIDNVQRLGLGYRFESDIRGALDRFVSSGGFDAVTKTSLHG TALSFRLLRQHGFEVSQEAFSGFKDQNGNFLENLKEDIKAILSLYEASFL ALEGENILDEAKVFAISHLKELSEEKIGKELAEQVNHALELPLHRRTQRL EAVWSIEAYRKKEDANQVLLELAILDYNMIQSVYQRDLRETSRWWRRVGL ATKLHFARDRLIESFYWAVGVAFEPQYSDCRNSVAKMFSFVTIIDDIYDV YGTLDELELFTDAVERWDVNAINDLPDYMKLCFLALYNTINEIAYDNLKD KGENILPYLTKAWADLCNAFLQEAKWLYNKSTPTFDDYFGNAWKSSSGPL QLVFAYFAVVQNIKKEEIENLQKYHDTISRPSHIFRLCNDLASASAEIAR GETANSVSCYMRTKGISEELATESVMNLIDETWKKMNKEKLGGSLFAKPF VETAINLARQSHCTYHNGDAHTSPDELTRKRVLSVITEPILPFER SEQ ID NO:3 Cr-IspS gene and hemagglutinin tag for transformation/expression in unicellular green algae. The IspS nucleotide sequence starts with the underlined “TGT” codon.

ATGTATCCTTATGATGTTCCAGACTACGCAGGTTATCCTTATGATGTACC AGACTATGCAGGTTATCCTTACGATGTACCTGATTACGCTGGTCCATGGT GTTCTGTTAGTACTGAAAATGTTTCATTTACTGAAACAGAAACAGAAGCA CGTAGATCAGCAAATTATGAGCCAAATAGTTGGGATTATGACTATTTATT ATCTAGTGATACAGATGAATCTATTGAAGTATATAAAGATAAAGCAAAAA AATTAGAAGCAGAAGTACGTCGTGAAATTAATAACGAAAAAGCAGAATTT CTTACTTTATTAGAATTAATTGATAATGTACAACGTTTAGGTTTAGGTTA TCGTTTTGAATCAGACATTCGTGGTGCATTAGATCGTTTTGTATCAAGTG GTGGTTTTGATGCTGTTACAAAAACTAGTTTACATGGTACTGCTTTAAGT TTTCGTTTACTTCGTCAACATGGTTTTGAAGTAAGTCAAGAAGCTTTTTC TGGTTTTAAAGATCAAAATGGTAATTTCTTAGAAAATTTAAAAGAAGATA TTAAAGCTATTTTAAGTTTATACGAAGCATCATTTTTAGCTTTAGAAGGT GAAAATATTTTAGATGAAGCTAAAGTATTTGCTATTTCTCACTTAAAAGA ATTATCAGAAGAAAAAATTGGTAAAGAATTAGCTGAACAAGTAAACCATG CATTAGAATTACCATTACATCGTCGTACACAACGTTTAGAAGCAGTTTGG TCTATTGAAGCTTATCGTAAAAAAGAAGATGCTAATCAAGTTTTATTAGA ATTAGCAATTTTAGATTATAATATGATTCAATCAGTATACCAACGTGATT TACGTGAAACAAGTCGTTGGTGGCGTCGTGTAGGTTTAGCTACTAAATTA CATTTTGCTCGTGATCGTTTAATTGAAAGTTTTTATTGGGCAGTTGGTGT AGCTTTTGAACCACAATATTCAGATTGTCGTAATTCAGTTGCAAAAATGT TTTCATTTGTAACTATTATTGATGATATTTATGATGTTTACGGTACATTA GATGAATTAGAATTATTCACTGATGCAGTAGAACGTTGGGATGTTAATGC TATTAATGATTTACCAGATTATATGAAATTATGTTTTCTTGCTTTATATA ACACTATTAATGAAATTGCTTATGATAACTTAAAAGATAAAGGTGAAAAT ATTTTACCATATTTAACAAAAGCTTGGGCTGATTTATGTAATGCTTTTTT ACAAGAAGCTAAATGGTTATATAATAAATCAACACCAACATTTGATGATT ATTTTGGTAATGCTTGGAAAAGTTCATCTGGTCCATTACAATTAGTTTTT GCTTATTTTGCTGTTGTTCAAAATATTAAAAAAGAAGAAATTGAAAATTT ACAAAAATATCATGATACAATTTCACGTCCATCACATATTTTTCGTTTAT GTAATGATTTAGCTTCAGCTTCAGCTGAAATTGCACGTGGTGAAACAGCA AATTCAGTTTCATGTTATATGCGTACAAAAGGTATTTCTGAAGAATTAGC TACAGAATCAGTTATGAATTTAATTGATGAAACATGGAAAAAAATGAATA AAGAAAAATTAGGTGGTTCTTTATTTGCTAAACCATTTGTTGAAACTGCT ATTAATTTAGCACGTCAATCACATTGTACTTATCATAATGGTGATGCTCA TACATCACCAGATGAATTAACACGTAAACGTGTTTTATCAGTTATTACAG AACCAATTTTACCATTTGAACGTTAA SEQ ID NO:4 Polypeptide sequence for Cr-IspS isoprene synthase gene. The three copies of the hemagglutinin HA tag are underlined. The isoprene synthase sequence lacks a chloroplast targeting sequence of the poplar IspS protein sequence. The IspS sequence starts with “CS . . . ”, indicated by the change of font.

MYPYDVPDYAGYPYDVPDYAGYPYDVPDYAGPWCSVSTENVSFTETETEA RRSANYEPNSWDYDYLLSSDTDESIEVYKDKAKKLEAEVRREINNEKAEF LTLLELIDNVQRLGLGYRFESDIRGALDRFVSSGGFDAVTKTSLHGTALS FRLLRQHGFEVSQEAFSGFKDQNGNFLENLKEDIKAILSLYEASFLALEG ENILDEAKVFAISHLKELSEEKIGKELAEQVNHALELPLHRRTQRLEAVW SIEAYRKKEDANQVLLELAILDYNMIQSVYQRDLRETSRWWRRVGLATKL HFARDRLIESFYWAVGVAFEPQYSDCRNSVAKMFSFVTIIDDIYDVYGTL DELELFTDAVERWDVNAINDLPDYMKLCFLALYNTINEIAYDNLKDKGEN ILPYLTKAWADLCNAFLQEAKWLYNKSTPTFDDYFGNAWKSSSGPLQLVF AYFAVVQNIKKEEIENLQKYHDTISRPSHIFRLCNDLASASAEIARGETA NSVSCYMRTKGISEELATESVMNLIDETWKKMNKEKLGGSLFAKPFVETA INLARQSHCTYHNGDAHTSPDELTRKRVLSVITEPILPFER SEQ ID NO: 5 Nucleotide sequence of Ss-IspS DNA and plasmid pIspS for cyanobacteria The first underlined sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 represents the (reverse complement) beta-lactamase gene, whereas the second underlined sequence is the Ss-IspS DNA. Additionally, the italicized sequences are start and stop codons, and the bold sequences are cloning restriction sites.

>pIspS aaaaagcattgctcatcaatttgttgcaacgaacaggtcactatcagtca aaataaaatcattatttaaaaggggcccgagcttaagactggccgtcgtt ttacaacacagaaagagtttgtagaaacgcaaaaaggccatccgtcaggg gccttctgcttagtttgatgcctggcagttccctactctcgccttccgct tcctcgctcactgactcgctgcgctcggtcgttcggctgcggcgagcggt atcagctcactcaaaggcggtaatacggttatccacagaatcaggggata acgcaggaaagaacatgtgagcaaaaggccagcaaaaggccaggaaccgt aaaaaggccgcgttgctggcgtttttccataggctccgcccccctgacga gcatcacaaaaatcgacgctcaagtcagaggtggcgaaacccgacaggac tataaagataccaggcgtttccccctggaagctccctcgtgcgctctcct gttccgaccctgccgcttaccggatacctgtccgcctttctcccttcggg aagcgtggcgctttctcatagctcacgctgtaggtatctcagttcggtgt aggtcgttcgctccaagctgggctgtgtgcacgaaccccccgttcagccc gaccgctgcgccttatccggtaactatcgtcttgagtccaacccggtaag acacgacttatcgccactggcagcagccactggtaacaggattagcagag cgaggtatgtaggcggtgctacagagttcttgaagtggtgggctaactac ggctacactagaagaacagtatttggtatctgcgctctgctgaagccagt taccttcggaaaaagagttggtagctcttgatccggcaaacaaaccaccg ctggtagcggtggtttttttgtttgcaagcagcagattacgcgcagaaaa aaaggatctcaagaagatcctttgatcttttctacggggtctgacgctca gtggaacgacgcgcgcgtaactcacgttaagggattttggtcatgagctt gcgccgtcccgtcaagtcagcgtaatgctctgc ttaccaatgcttaatca gtgaggcacctatctcagcgatctgtctatttcgttcatccatagttgcc tgactccccgtcgtgtagataactacgatacgggagggcttaccatctgg ccccagcgctgcgatgataccgcgagaaccacgctcaccggctccggatt tatcagcaataaaccagccagccggaagggccgagcgcagaagtggtcct gcaactttatccgcctccatccagtctattaattgttgccgggaagctag agtaagtagttcgccagttaatagtttgcgcaacgttgttgccatcgcta caggcatcgtggtgtcacgctcgtcgtttggtatggcttcattcagctcc ggttcccaacgatcaaggcgagttacatgatcccccatgttgtgcaaaaa agcggttagctccttcggtcctccgatcgttgtcagaagtaagttggccg cagtgttatcactcatggttatggcagcactgcataattctcttactgtc atgccatccgtaagatgcttttctgtgactggtgagtactcaaccaagtc attctgagaatagtgtatgcggcgaccgagttgctcttgcccggcgtcaa tacgggataataccgcgccacatagcagaactttaaaagtgctcatcatt ggaaaacgttcttcggggcgaaaactctcaaggatcttaccgctgttgag atccagttcgatgtaacccactcgtgcacccaactgatcttcagcatctt ttactttcaccagcgtttctgggtgagcaaaaacaggaaggcaaaatgcc gcaaaaaagggaataagggcgacacggaaatgttgaatactcat attctt cctttttcaatattattgaagcatttatcagggttattgtctcatgagcg gatacatatttgaatgtatttagaaaaataaacaaataggggtcagtgtt acaaccaattaaccaattctgaacattatcgcgagcccatttatacctga atatggctcataacaccccttgcagtgcgactaacggcatgaagctcgtc ggggaaataatgattttattttgactgatagtgacctgttcgttgcaaca aattgataagcaatgctttcttataatgccaactttgtacaagaaagctg ggtcc

gaagctcgacgaagcgctaattatgaaccaaatagttgggac tacgattttctattatcctctgatacggatgagtccattgaagtttataa ggataaagctaagaaattggaagccgaagtgcgccgcgaaattaacaatg agaaagcggaatttttgaccttattagaactcatcgataatgtgcaacga ctgggattgggctatcggtttgaaagtgacatccgccgggcactggatcg ttttgtatctagtggcggctttgatggcgtcactaaaactagtttgcacg cgaccgcactcagttttcggctattacgtcaacacggtttcgaagtgagt caagaggcgtttagtggcttcaaagatcaaaatggcaattttctggaaaa cttgaaagaagacacaaaagctatcctaagtttatacgaagctagttttc tcgcgctggaaggtgaaaatattctggatgaggctcgtgtatttgcaatt tctcacctgaaagaattatctgaagaaaagattggcaaagaactcgccga acaggtaaatcacgccttggaactgcccctccatcgtcgtacccaacgat tggaagctgtgtggagtatcgaagcctatcgcaagaaagaagacgctaac caagttttgttggaactggccatcttggattataacatgattcaatccgt atatcagcgcgatctacgtgaaacgtctcggtggtggcggcgtgttgggc tcgctactaaattacattttgcaaaggatcgactcattgaatccttttat tgggccgtcggggtggcttttgaaccccagtacagcgattgccgtaattc tgtagcaaaaatgttttctttcgttacaattattgatgacatttatgacg tttacggcaccctcgacgaactggaattgttcactgacgctgtggaacgt tgggacgtaaatgccattaatgacctgccagattacatgaagttgtgttt tctcgcgttatataacaccattaatgaaattgcatacgacaatttaaagg ataagggagagaatattctgccttatttgacgaaagcctgggccgatttg tgtaatgcctttttgcaggaagctaaatggttatataacaaatccacccc cacttttgatgactattttggcaatgcctggaagagcagcagcgggcctc tccaactgatttttgcttattttgcggtagtacaaaacattaagaaagaa gagattgaaaatttgcaaaagtaccatgacattattagtcggcccagtca tattttccgcttgtgcaacgacctggcatccgctagtgccgaaattgcgc gtggcgaaacagctaatagtgtgagttgttacatgcgcacaaagggcatt tccgaagaactagctacggaaagtgtcatgaacctgattgacgagacttg caagaaaatgaataaggaaaaattgggcgggtccctatttgccaaaccct ttgtggaaaccgcgattaatttggctcgccaaagtcattgtacctatcac aatggtgatgctcacaccagtcccgatgaattaacccgtaaacgagttct gtctgtgattactgaacccattttgccctttgaacgttaa aagtaacagg ttttccatgttgtcgtctgcaagaacactgcagagcctgcttttttgtac aaagttggcattata SEQ ID NO:6 Amino acid sequence of the expected 65 kD translated Ss-IspS protein from cyanobacteria plasmid.

  1 MEARRSANYE PNSWDYDFLL SSDTDESIEV YKDKAKKLEA EVRREINNEK  51 AEFLTLLELI DNVQRLGLGY RFESDIRRAL DRFVSSGGFD GVTKTSLHAT 101 ALSFRLLRQH GFEVSQEAFS GFKDQNGNFL ENLKEDTKAI LSLYEASFLA 151 LEGENILDEA RVFAISHLKE LSEEKIGKEL AEQVNHALEL PLHRRTQRLE 201 AVWSIEAYRK KEDANQVLLE LAILDYNMIQ SVYQRDLRET SRWWRRVGLA 251 TKLHFAKDRL IESFYWAVGV AFEPQYSDCR NSVAKMFSFV TIIDDIYDVY 301 GTLDELELFT DAVERWDVNA INDLPDYMKL CFLALYNTIN EIAYDNLKDK 351 GENILPYLTK AWADLCNAFL QEAKWLYNKS TPTFDDYFGN AWKSSSGPLQ 401 LIFAYFAVVQ NIKKEEIENL QKYHDIISRP SHIFRLCNDL ASASAEIARG 451 ETANSVSCYM RTKGISEELA TESVMNLIDE TCKKMNKEKL GGSLFAKPFV 501 ETAINLARQS HCTYHNGDAH TSPDELTRKR VLSVITEPIL PFER* SEQ ID NO:7 Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu vine) isoprene synthase (IspS); ACCESSION No AY316691 (complete cds.) The atg start codon is underlined and indicates the start of the protein-coding region of the cDNA.

   1 aatcaatata taatatttac ggaagatttg atgcctttcc tgattttaat ttatttttat   61 ccctgcataa aataattgtg gtcaccgtac actgttcttg tcacttggac aagaaatttg  121 actagcaagc aaggtataat cattcatcta aacttatggt gatttattgc cccacctcat  181 caattttcgt gtgttttatt ttagtgtcct tggatcctcg ttccaatata aaaggagaac  241 atggcatcgc aattttagag catatcattg aaaagtcatg gcaaccaacc ttttatgctt  301 gtctaataaa ttatcgtccc ccacaccaac accaagtact agatttccac aaagtaagaa  361 cttcatcaca caaaaaacat ctcttgccaa tcccaaacct tggcgagtta tttgtgctac  421 gagctctcaa tttacccaaa taacagaaca taatagtcgg cgttcagcta attaccagcc  481 aaacctctgg aattttgaat ttctgcagtc tctggaaaat gaccttaagg tgattataca  541 tatattccag ttaatttttc tttttttctt ttgtgatttt taaggaatca tttagtttgg  601 gaaagtattt tttttatttg cacttttaat tataaaaatg ttatatcatt ttcacttttt  661 tctattcatt ttcaaaattt tacatagaaa acagtaaatt ttttattttt tttattttct  721 attttcatta tttctcaaat caaacggtat taaagcataa acaaagaaat taatattgtt  781 cttttaattt tattttttta caataatggg aacgattata tattaggctg accttaataa  841 gttatttttt ttttataata ttgttcttat tgtaacctaa cgacaggtgg aaaaactaga  901 agagaaggca acaaagctag aggaggaggt acgatgcatg atcaacagag tagacacaca  961 accattaagc ttactagaat tgatcgacga tgtccagcgt ctaggattga cctacaagtt 1021 tgagaaggac ataatcaaag cccttgagaa tattgttttg ctggatgaga ataagaaaaa 1081 taaaagtgac ctccatgcta ctgctctcag cttccgttta cttagacaac atggctttga 1141 ggtttcccaa ggtatttatg tatatatatg ttacccactt agcaacatat atatatatat 1201 atattatgat tcactgacca tgcatgtggt gcagatgtgt ttgagagatt taaggacaag 1261 gagggaggtt tcagtggtga acttaaaggt gatgtgcaag ggttgctgag tctatatgaa 1321 gcatcctatc ttggctttga gggagaaaat ctcttggagg aggcaaggac attttcaata 1381 acacatctca agaacaacct aaaagaagga ataaacacca aagtggcaga acaagttagt 1441 catgcactgg aacttcccta tcatcaaaga ttgcatagac tagaagcacg atggttcctt 1501 gacaaatatg aaccaaagga accccaccat cagttactac tcgagcttgc aaagctagat 1561 ttcaatatgg tgcaaacatt gcaccagaaa gaactgcaag acctgtcaag gttagaaatt 1621 tcaattctca agtaattatt acctcataag aaattaaata acaataacaa tattgagtgt 1681 agagatttcc aattaaaaat taacatacga gaggatcaat atatattctt aggtatgtgg 1741 tactaatgaa atatatgcta ggtggtggac ggagatgggg ctagcaagca agctagactt 1801 tgtccgagac agattaatgg aagtgtattt ttgggcgttg ggaatggcac ctgatcctca 1861 attcggtgaa tgtcgtaaag ctgtcactaa aatgtttgga ttggtcacca tcatcgatga 1921 tgtatatgac gtttatggta ctttggatga gctacaactc ttcactgatg ctgttgagag 1981 gttcgtaatt gatttcagtc tcgattcagt tggaatttaa ttattgctta attaataata 2041 acttgcgtac atgcatacac acagatggga cgtgaatgcc ataaacacac ttccagacta 2101 catgaagttg tgcttcctag cactttataa caccgtcaat gacacgtctt atagcatcct 2161 taaagaaaaa ggacacaaca acctttccta tttgacaaaa tctgtacata tatactaatt 2221 atctccttgg ttgattaatt agtttagttt agtttagttg gtatgtcaac acaattaatt 2281 aatattatat atggatgttg acagtggcgt gagttatgca aagcattcct tcaagaagca 2341 aaatggtcga acaacaaaat cattccagca tttagcaagt acctggaaaa tgcatcggtg 2401 tcctcctccg gtgtggcttt gcttgctcct tcctacttct cagtgtgcca acaacaagaa 2461 gatatctcag accatgctct tcgttcttta actgatttcc atggccttgt gcgctcctca 2521 tgcgtcattt tcagactctg caatgatttg gctacctcag cggtgtgtaa ttaattacct 2581 taattaattt gtaacacttg ttagactaat atatataggt gtgtctgtta attactacag 2641 gctgagctag agaggggtga gacgacaaat tcaataatat cttatatgca tgagaatgac 2701 ggcacttctg aagagcaagc acgtgaggag ttgagaaaat tgatcgatgc agagtggaag 2761 aagatgaacc gagagcgagt ttcagattct acactactcc caaaagcttt tatggaaata 2821 gctgttaaca tggctcgagt ttcgcattgc acataccaat atggagacgg acttggaagg 2881 ccagactacg ccacagagaa tagaatcaag ttgctactta tagacccctt tccaatcaat 2941 caactaatgt acgtgtaaca acacaatata aacacttttc tacaagtata tatttgttta 3001 atttcggtgt tgaattaggg gtcaacacag ctatatatac ttcaatggac caactcaacc 3061 aatctgataa gagaaaaaaa ataaaaataa ggttaggtta actttgtata aatccaagtt 3121 agatatcaag ttt SEQ ID NO:8 Pueraria montana var. lobata (kudzu vine) isoprene synthase polypeptide sequence

MATNLLCLSNKLSSPTPTPSTRFPQSKNFITQKTSLANPKPWRVICATSS QFTQITEHNSRRSANYQPNLWNFEFLQSLENDLKVEKLEEKATKLEEEVR CMINRVDTQPLSLLELIDDVQRLGLTYKFEKDIIKALENIVLLDENKKNK SDLHATALSFRLLRQHGFEVSQDVFERFKDKEGGFSGELKGDVQGLLSLY EASYLGFEGENLLEEARTFSITHLKNNLKEGINTKVAEQVSHALELPYHQ RLHRLEARWFLDKYEPKEPHHQLLLELAKLDFNMVQTLHQKELQDLSRWW TEMGLASKLDFVRDRLMEVYFWALGMAPDPQFGECRKAVTKMFGLVTIID DVYDVYGTLDELQLFTDAVERWDVNAINTLPDYMKLCFLALYNTVNDTSY SILKEKGHNNLSYLTKSWRELCKAFLQEAKWSNNKIIPAFSKYLENASVS SSGVALLAPSYFSVCQQQEDISDHALRSLTDFHGLVRSSCVIFRLCNDLA TSAAELERGETTNSIISYMHENDGTSEEQAREELRKLIDAEWKKMNRERV SDSTLLPKAFMEIAVNMARVSHCTYQYGDGLGRPDYATENRIKLLLIDPF PINQLMYV 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of producing isoprene hydrocarbons in a cyanobacteria, the method comprising: introducing an expression cassette that comprises a nucleic acid encoding an isoprene synthase that comprises amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2 into the cyanobacteria, wherein the nucleic acid is codon-optimized for expression in the cyanobacteria and comprises at least 95% identity to the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5; and culturing the cyanobacteria under conditions in which the nucleic acid encoding isoprene synthase is expressed and produces isoprene.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid comprises the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the cyanobacteria is Synechocystis sp.
 4. A method of producing isoprene hydrocarbons in a microorganism that comprises a heterologous nucleic acid that encodes isoprene synthase, the method comprising: mass-culturing cyanobacteria that comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding an isoprene synthase that comprises amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2 operably linked to a promoter, wherein the nucleic acid is codon-optimized for expression in the cyanobacteria and comprises at least 95% identity to the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5; and wherein the cyanobacteria are in an enclosed bioreactor and cultured under conditions in which the isoprene synthase gene is expressed; and harvesting volatile isoprene hydrocarbons produced by the cyanobacteria.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid comprises the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the cyanobacteria is Synechocystis sp.
 7. An isolated nucleic acid encoding an isoprene synthase that comprises amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the nucleic acid is codon-optimized for expression in cyanobacteria and comprises at least 95% identity to the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5.
 8. The nucleic acid of claim 7, wherein the nucleic acid comprises the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5.
 9. A cyanobacteria cell that comprises a nucleic acid of claim 7 encoding an isoprene synthase that comprises amino acid residues 53-595 of SEQ ID NO:2 operably linked to a promoter, wherein the heterologous nucleic acid is codon-optimized for expression in the cyanobacteria and comprises at least 95% identity to the isoprene synthase coding region of SEQ ID NO:5.
 10. The cyanobacteria cell of claim 9, wherein the cyanobacteria cell is Synechocystis sp. 